Warner Closes Direct-To-Video Unit

The studio decided to shutter Warner Premiere early this summer, and most of its fewer-than-10 employees have already been given other jobs. But it will “continue and complete production on its remaining film and digital series project into the Fall,” the company says. Warner Premiere was created in 2006 but became superfluous as the direct-to-video market diminished. Its titles have included Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove, Ace Ventura Jr. — Pet Detective, and The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007). Warner says that “the evaluation of potential digital content will be folded into Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, and Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video will continue to produce and release animated films, such as Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry and DC Universe.”